The President that Ghanaians need

By Dr. Michael J.K. Bokor

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

No doubt, Ghana’s main problem is the leadership crisis that has continued to blight all hopes for a steady national redemption. The country has abundant national and human resources and can make much progress to be the envy of the world if it gets leaders with the requisite acumen to steer its affairs. It’s a matter of very disturbing proportions that despite all these resources, the country is still on its knees while those in leadership positions busily devise adroit means to fleece the national economy and live profligate lives while the country crumbles right in front of their eyes.

If they are not doing so, then, they are either working hard to compound existing problems or create new ones to worsen the plight of the citizens. Nothing is adding up properly because those in authority lack the acumen to help us solve our problems.

Although nation-building is a collective effort, meaning that we shouldn’t count on only one identifiable person in authority (clearly the President) to do so, every reason exists to conclude that the calibre of the President determines how much can be done to rid the country of its perennial problem of underdevelopment. If we don’t think it should be so, why should we entrust governance into the hands of that one person at election time as the President and give him overwhelming powers to appoint hundreds of public office holders? We expect such a person to have the capability to galvanize the citizens toward tackling national problems. But we are unfortunate not to have such prime-movers. Inconceivable!!

It is within this context that the electorate have to be decisive this Friday in choosing wisely those to lead the country.

We’ve had the opportunity to know these candidates. We can sift the chaff from the grain at this point to say that those at the touchline making desperate moves to be elected into office “at all cost” aren’t any better, at least, if their own public posturing and intemperate utterances are anything to forewarn Ghanaians of their hidden agenda. They are either too belligerent or desperate for comfort.

I don’t see how they can make the difference, riding on the wave of empty promises and belligerence, couched in the language of mayhem and divisiveness. Or fear-mongering and name-calling just for the sake of political expediency in desperation.

We’ve heard good ideas from those in in the PPP, CPP, PNC, or any other mushroom party; but I am not sure where they will go with all those laudable ideas. They may just be wasting everybody’s time, being at the wrong side of the political divide. Or goaded on by their own self-acclaim to be in politics. Forget about anybody contesting the Presidential elections as an independent candidate. Our kind of politics won’t favour such a candidate. No rolling stone gathering no moss can win Presidential elections in Ghana in our contemporary period. They lack the constituency, no matter how much they have up their sleeves. I expect them to redefine their agenda.

So, where do we stand?

Indeed, the problem defies cogent explanation or solution and will continue to nag us until we set the parameters right to get those we can trust as leaders. That is why it is imperative for the voters to scrutinize the characteristics of all those vying for the mandate at Friday’s polls. We must be persuaded by the evidence of our own eyes and ears in the political decision that we make. I have done so and rejected the NPP’s Akufo-Addo for what I can tell he is: a conman offering strings of promises just to hoodwink the electorate. He hasn’t demonstrated any convincing leadership quality to warrant my supporting him. I see issues beyond the base promises that he is making all over the place. My agenda is clear. Once I have decided to reject Akufo-Addo, it is my bounden duty to keep the searchlight on him so those who need guidance in making their political decisions will use input from my opinion pieces to add to their own opinions for that purpose. I hope I have made myself clear.

No amount of insults or vain threats from his followers will deter me. Even if he wins the elections, the heat will be more intense!! Criticizing him will be a good means to help him shape up, if ever he wants to. What is wrong about that?

I shall return…

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